Hosiery inspecting device



M y 1938. M. POESCH MANN Y 2,116,478

HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Filed July 17, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4 INVENTOR: mfbesakmamn ATTORNE BY L y 1938. M. POESCHMANN 2,116,478

HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE 7 'Filed July 17, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR:

y 3, 1938. M. POESCHMANN 2,116,478

HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Filed July 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 IINVENTOR: 1 5 Maw fiesakmazm;

' ATTORNEY.

May 3, 1938. M. POESCHMANN HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE Filed July 17, 19365 Sheets-Sheet 4 A I A TTORNE INVENTOR: mfoeschmm "1 heel portions ofthe stocking under tension.

Patented May 3, 1938 PATENT came HOSIERY INSPECTING DEVICE MaxPoeschmann, West Reading, Pa., assignor to Textile Machine Works,Wyomissing, Pa., a corporation. of Pennsylvania 1 Application July 1'1,1936, Serial No. 91,107

Claims.

This invention relates to hosiery inspecting devices of that typedisclosed in U. S. Letters Patent to Samuel E. Kalbach andMaxPoeschmann, which bears No. 2,092,806, and which was issued by theUnited States Patent Office on September In devices of the type noted a.hollow substantially closed, circular, and gradually tapering shellconstitutes apOle-like hosiery form. The form is adapted to be placedwithin a stocking or to have a stocking drawn over it,longitudinallythereof. The "hosiery form, with a stocking thereon, isadapted tobe expanded laterally or radially, to place the fabric of theleg, foot and The radial movements of the leg, foot and heel tensioningmembers of the inspection form are efiected by a single longitudinallyreciprocable element extending axiallythrough the form.

In devices of the type above noted, as disclosed in the above-mentionedpatent, the centrally located operating element is arranged to beactuated solely by a foot treadle or through pneumatically orhydraulically. actuated means controlled by the foot treadle. Themotivating means is arranged externally of, and remotely with respectto, the form and is connected to the form actuating element through aseries of links, gears, racks, etc.

The present invention relates principally to an improved means foroperating the centrally located actuating element of the form; and tovarious details of the structure, and an object of the present inventionis to provide for simplicity of construction and operation of thedevice.

With this and other objects in view, which will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the illustrativeembodiment of theinvention shown in theaccompanying drawings, my invention resides inthenovel structure and method of operation as hereinafter more particularlypointed out in the claims.

, The structure formingthe subject matter of the present invention, andits application to an inspection form of the type noted, will be fullydisclosed hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings;of which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the inspecting form and, in the presentinstance, a table to which the form is securedfor operation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inspecting form and its associatedmechanism and illustrates the table in broken line and the form inaposition 90 from that in which it appears in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3, Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 4-4, Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the form per se with the heel expandershown in its efiective position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the form as taken on theline 6-6, Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the form as taken on the line l'-'l,Fig. 6, with the form in its expanded condition;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the heel expander in its effectiveposition;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the. heel expander in itsineffective position;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view taken on the line Ill-.40, Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line ll-ll,Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 12-12,Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the actuating motor forthe form expanding element,

the section being taken on the line l3l3, Fig. 4; 2

.Fig. 1.4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation as taken on the line il-l4, Fig. 3; 1

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional elevation taken 1 substantially on theline Iii-15, Fig. 14; 1

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation of a detail of th invention as taken onthe line l6l6, Fig. 4; and

Fig. 17 illustrates a detail of the invention substantially as appearingon the line lI--l1, Fig. 3.

As shown principally in Figs. 6 and 7, the devicecomprisesaform-supporting head I which is adapted to be firmly secured to anysuitable rigid support. Projecting axially from one end of, and rigidlysecured in or to the head I, is a short .fixed stud or post 2. In thepresent instance, the fixed post 2 carries ball bearings 3 and 4. Theball bearings 3 and 4 are spaced apart axially along the post 2 beyondthe head It The ball bearings 3 and 4 are mounted within a relativelylong center post 5, adjacent to one end thereof, and by which the post 5is adapted to be freely rotated about the axis of the fixed post 2. 1

The rotatable post 5 constitutes a foundation structure for theinspection form 6. The form 6 is composed of a plurality oflongitudinally extending radially movable segments which collectivelyform a hollow shell which; surrounds the foundation post 5 and tapersexternally from a relatively large diameter adjacent to the head l to arelatively smallerdiameter at that end of the shell which is remotelysituated with respect to the head I.

The shell 6 constitutes the leg-expanding section of the form and, inthe present instance, is composed of two segmental sections 6a and 6b,respectively, which are of similar construction and mounted on thefoundation post for movement in opposite, lateral or transversedirections with respect to each other or radially with respect to theaxis of the foundation post 5.

Axially aligned with the tapering leg portion of the expansible shell 6,and extending beyond the outer end 1 thereof, is the foot expandingsection 8. The foot expander 8, like the leg expander 6, is composed ofa pair of similar sections 8a and 8b. The foot expander sections 8a and8b are respectively secured to the leg expander sections 60. and 617,said sections being secured together in such a manner as to provide foraxial adjustment between the foot expander and the leg expander, asfully disclosed in said copending application.

The inner end 9 of the foot expanding section 8 of the form is movableaway from the outer end I of the leg expanding section 6 of the form forthe reception of filler pieces II), which are adapted to close a gapbetween the foot and leg portions which would otherwise occur as aresult of longitudinal adjustment of the foot section with respect tothe leg section.

The two segments 6a and 6b of the leg-expanding shell 6 are supportedfor relative lateral or radial movement on, and with respect to, thefoundation post 5 by a pair of plate-like lugs Ha and Nb, respectively;and by a pair of transversely extending and movable rods I3a and I317,respectively, said rods being slidably mounted in cylindrical bearingsl5, 95 formed in, or carried by, the post 5, the plates Ila and llbbeing arranged in overlapping relation one to the other and mountedwithin a transversely extending slot, recess, or slideway l2 formed inthe foundation post 5.

Simultaneous movement of the leg expander sections 6a and 6b, with thefoot expander sections 8a and 8b respectively secured thereto, iseffected by means of a centrally disposed longitudinally re-ciprocableactuating element 20. The actuator 29 is slidably mounted in the post 5and is adapted for axial movement with respect thereto.

The plates i la and l lb are provided with acute angle slots 21a and2H), respectively, in which is mounted a common operating pin 22, saidpin being fixed to the actuating element 29 for movement therewith.

The supporting rods Mia and i319 are respectively provided with pins 24and 25 whichproject through transversely extending slots 26 formed inthe cylindrical bearings It for said rods and into angularly disposedslots or grooves 2'! and '26 formed in one or both of the opposite sidewalls of a longitudinally extending recess or slot l8a formed in anenlarged portion 18 of the actuating element 20.

The actuating element 29, see Fig. 13, is provided with or includes anaxial extension [9 which passes axially through the center bore of thesupporting post 2 for connection with an actuating motor M, as will befully disclosed hereinafter.

The form is also provided with a heel expander 30, see Figs. 8 and 9,which is pivoted at 3| to a suitable lug 4| formed on the extreme end ofthe foundation post 5 within the leg expander 6,

said heel expander being adapted to swing outwardly or radially withrespect to the axis of the post 5 through a suitable opening 32 formedhalf in the shell section Go and half in the shell section 6b.

Radial movement of the heel expander 39 is effected by means of a pin 33carried by and projecting laterally from both sides of a block 34, whichis formed on or secured to the outer end of the centrally locatedactuating element 20, beyond a bearing 35 provided at the outer end ofthe post 5 and in which the outer end of the actuator 20 is slidablymounted.

The opposite ends, respectively, of the pin 33 are disposed in angularlyarranged cam slots 36, 36 which are, respectively, formed in movementdetermining members or swing adjusting plates 31, 31. The swingadjusting plates 31, 3'! are located at the opposite sides,respectively, of a central rib 38 on the heel expander 39, and areconnected to the rib 38 through means of fixed side plates 39, 39 whichare secured to said rib by screws 40, 40.

The side plates 39, 39 pass to opposite sides, respectively, of the lug4| which carries the pivot pin 31 for the foot expander 30 andconstitute the bearings for the pivot pin 3! in the heel expander.

The plates 31, 31 are mounted on the plates 39, 39 for adjustment withrespect thereto, for the purpose of adjusting or controlling the extentof the outward movement of the heel expander 30, for stockings havingdifferent length feet and for this purpose each plate 31 at one end 42of the cam slot 36 therein is provided with a circular boss 43 which ismounted in a circular bearing opening 44 formed in the adjacentlydisposed side plate 39, whereby the plates 31 may be swung about theaxes of the bosses 43 with respect to the side plates 39 to increase theangles of the cam slots 36 with respect to the line of movement of theactuating pin 33 and the central actuator 29. This structure is clearlyillustrated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12.

The plates 31 are adapted to be secured in the positions to which theyare adjusted by means of clamp screws 45 which pass through arcuateslots 46 swung from the axes of the circular bosses 43, said screwsbeing threaded into tapped openings in the adjacently disposed sideplates 39, 39 respectively.

From the above description, it will be obvious that longitudinalreciprocation of the central actuating element 20, which in the presentinstance is effected by the actuating motor M, will cause radialexpansion and contraction of the sections 6a and 6b of the leg expandingshell 6, with respect to the center foundation post 5, carrying withthem the foot expander sections 8a and 817 respectively andsimultaneously therewith the heel expander 39 will be swung radiallyoutwardly and inwardly with respect to the leg and foot sections of theinspecting form.

It will be obvious that the fabric of a stocking which has been placedon the form, as indidicated at S in Fig. 5, will be subjected to lateraltension throughout the length of the leg, foot and instep portions S Sand S respectively of the: stocking: and that with the toe portion S ofthe stocking drawn firmly against the outer or toe-engaging end of thefoot expander 8, the heel expander 39, in swinging about its pivot 3|,will cause the outer or free end of said expander to engage the heel Sof the stocking and as said heel-engaging end of the heel expanderswings radially it also moves upwardly at an angle with respectto andaway from the toe-en- -gaging end of the foot expanderfl, and in sodoing places the foot sole section S of the stocking S underlongitudinal tension at the same time as lateral tension is applied tothe whole of the stocking fabric. d

In the present instance, the actuating motor M comprises aform-supporting head I which is of hollow cylindrical construction andis closed at its opposite ends by head plates and 5| respectively. Thehead plate 50 is provided with a central circular boss. 52 (Fig. 13)which extends inwardly and axially of the hollow cylinder head landaifords rigid support for the hollow form-supporting stud or post 2.

The opposite end of the form-supporting head I is bored and finished toprovide a cylinder 53 'in which is slidably mounted a piston 54, saidpiston being of the hollow type open at one end and provided at itsopposite end with a head 55. When the stocking form is in its collapsedor closed condition the piston head 55 lies immediately adjacent to theinner surface of the cylinder head 5|, to provide, between the cylinderhead 5! and the piston head 55 a motive fluid cavity 56.

Formed on the piston head 55 and extending axially of and within thepiston 54 is a circular boss 51, between the outer peripheral surface ofwhich and the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 58 of the; piston 54is provided an annular cavity 59.

The annular cavity 59 is arranged to receive.

one end of a spring B ll which encircles the central boss 57 with itsextreme end abutting against the inner surface of the piston head 55,the opposite end of saidspring being seated against an annular shoulder5! formed on the inner end of the cylindrical boss 52 of the closureplate 50 of the form-supporting head I. The spring 60 at all times tendsto move the piston 54 in a direction toward the cylinder head 5| tomaintain the inspection form in its contracted or closed condition.

In order to effect operation of the form expanding and contractingelement 20, the end 19 of the central actuator 20 is connected to thepiston 54 of the motor M in a manner to insure coordinate reciprocationof the actuator 20 with the piston. 54 and for that purpose the extendedportion l 9 of the actuator 20 is enlarged in diameter inwardly from itsextreme end and this enlargement lea is externally threaded, for pur-'poses hereinafter described. From one end of the screw threadedenlargement l9a to the extreme end of the extension IS the actuator2llis reduced in diameter as indicated at [95. The reduced portion i919 ofthe actuator 20 projects into a circular bore 62 formed in the hollowcircular boss 57 of the piston 54. Surrounding the reduced end lllb,within the bore 62, are ball bearings 63 and 54, by which the actuator20 is rotatably mounted in the piston 54.

In order to effect simultaneous axial movement of the piston 54 andactuator 20 upon operation of the actuating motor M the outer ball raceof the bearing 63 is confined within the bore 62 of the piston 54-, bymeans of a ring 55 which is secured tothe piston boss 5'! by screws 56.The inner edge of the ring 85 overhangs the bore 52 and forms anabutment for the outer race of the ball bearing 53. The inner race ofthe ball bearing 53 is seated directly on the extension I 9b of theactuatorl ll and is spaced from the one end of the threaded enlargementISa' by means of a sleeve 61. The opposite'side of the inner race of theball bearing 63 is-engaged by one end of a sleeve 68. The sleeve 68 issecured in any suitable manner to the extension 'mb of the actuator 20and thereby said actuator is prevented from being withdrawn fromsaid.sleeve, in order that reciprocation of the piston 54 will effectcorresponding reciprocation of the actuator 20. The sleeve 68 isshouldered-adjacent to rm its outer end for the reception of one race"ring 69 of the ball bearing 64 which ball bearing functions as an endthrust bearingfor the actuator' ZD. The second race ring 1!! of the ballthrust hearing 64 is engaged by a plug 'H which is-threaded 15 into thetapped end 12 of the bore 62. jTheplug "H is provided with an axialcircular extension' 13 about which the ball race is seated. The plug IIis split transversely, as indicated at M, and a locking screw 15 isemployed to effect '2 binding of the plug in the threaded bore 12 toprevent loosening thereof. A second flanged plug 16 is threaded into theextreme and of'the threaded bore I2 and closes said bore andprovides asubstantially fiat surface on the piston head 55, or the plug 16 mayproject beyond the face of the piston head 55 for engagement with thecylinder head 5! to insure provision of the fluid space 56. l

From the above, it will be noted that recipro- -3 cation of the piston54, as effected upon operation of the motor M, will effect reciprocationof the actuator 20 while permitting said actuatorto revolve freely withrespect to the piston. Such turning of the actuator 20 with respect tothe piston is provided for. in order to effectadjustment of the deviceto control the extent to which the stocking form or post 6 maybe.expanded laterally or radially. i

As will be observed upon referring to Fig. 7,-1.1

the distance thepins 22, 24 and 26 move in the cam slots Zia, (Mb, 2'!and 28 determines the. extent to which the form sections 6a8a. andlib-43?) can be separated. Consequently the extent of expansion of theform is controlled by 5 the extent of axial movement of the actuator 20.

As noted above, the spring 65 moves the actuator 2b in one direction tocollapse or contract the form 6 fully, and the piston 54, operated underfluid pressure entering the space 56 between 150 nearest the piston 54,between the inner end 8! of the circular boss 52 of the head plate andthe ring which is secured to the inner end of the circular boss 5! ofthe piston 54,is a ball bear- 63 ing 82 which is fixed to the sleeveagainst relative axial movement therebetween. ,The inner end of the boss52 is shouldered as indicated at83 for the reception of an abutmentring' 84 which may be composed of any resilient material in such, forexample, as felt. This abutmentring is adapted to be engaged by theouter race ring of the ball bearing 82 which functions as a stop tolimit the movement of the piston 54 and co'nsequently the actuator 20when moving in the W5 from said sleeve 80.

- i at all times to an inoperative position.

alignment with the plunger 9|.

form-expanding direction. By varying the relation between the stop 82and the piston 54, in a direction axially of the actuator 20, the extentof expanding or expansion of the form 6 is correspondingly controlled.Such variation is ef- .fected by producing relative rotation between thesleeve 80 and the threaded enlargement I9a of the actuator 20.

The actuator is provided with a resilient key 85 (see Fig. 14) which, inthe present instance,

consists of a flat spring 86. The spring 86 is mounted in a longitudinalgroove 31 formed in the actuator 20 and is secured at one end to saidactuator by a screw 88. The opposite end of the flat spring 86 isprovided with a projection 89 which normally rests in a longitudinalslot 90 formed in the sleeve 80 and normally prevents relative rotationbetween the sleeve 80 and the actuator 20.

In order to adjust the sleeve 80 with respect to the actuator 20, thekey 85 is moved laterally of the actuator 20 to release the actuator 20This is accomplished by a plunger 9|, see Figs. 14 and 15. The plungerBI is slidably mounted in a thimble 92 which is secured in an opening 93formed in the head I and projects through an opening 94 formed in theboss 52, with the inner end of the plunger 9| passing through an opening95 formed in the post or stud 2. The outer end of the plunger BI isprovided with a head 96. A spring 91, en-- circling the plunger 9! inthe bore of the thimble 92 between the base of said bore and the innerend of the head 96, tends to move the plunger A pin 98 carried by theplunger SI and bearing against the inner end of the thimble 92 preventssaid plunger from being ejected from the thimble by the spring 91.

In order to effect relative adjustment between the sleeve 80 andactuator 20, the stocking form is rotated until the slot 90 of thesleeve 80 is in The plunger is then pressed inwardly until the inner endthereof engages the lug 89 of the key 85 and until said lug is removedfrom the slot 90 of the sleeve 80, at which time the plunger 9! looksthe sleeve 00 against rotation but at which time the actuator 20 may berotated with respect to the sleeve 00. Such rotation of the actuator 20is effected by rotating the whole of the' form about its axis whichcauses the threaded enlargement I9a thereof, by reason of its threadedengagement with the then fixed sleeve 80, to move longitudinally of andwithin said sleeve, moving the piston 54 correspondingly and therebychanging the relationship between said piston and the stop 84 and inso'doing the allowable amount of travel of the pins 22, 24 and 25relative to the slots '2Ia, 2Ib, 27 and 28 is determined which in turndetermines the extent of lateral and. radial expansion of the twooppositely arranged half sections of the form.

- In addition to the controlling of the extent of expansion of the formas a whole, the extent of relative expansion movement between the bodyof the form and the heel expander is accomplished in the manner notedabove, i. e.

by adjusting the plates 3i and 39 of the heel expander relative to eachother as noted.

The control of the fluid pressure entering the fluid space 56 in thehead of the motor M and the exhaust of said fluid from said space orfrom thatendof the cylinder 53 between the piston The valve chest I02 ,5

sage I06 formed in the head I, the opposite end,.

of said fluid passage communicating with the fluid space 56 formedbetween the piston head and cylinder head 5I. The port I05 connects withone end of a fluid passage I01 formed in the head I. The opposite end ofthe passage I01 15 communicates with a port I08 formed in a hollowbracket IIO to which the head I is secured in any suitable manner. Thehollow interior of the bracket H0 is provided with overlapping bafflesI09 which form a circuitous path through go which fluid passing from.the passage I01 must flow in order to escape from the hollow interior ofthe bracket IIO through a suitably screened outlet orifice III. Thescreen for the outlet III in the present instance is in the form ofperforated plate II2, which is removably securedto the bracket IIO as byscrews H3.

The slide valve I 00 is provided with a longitudinally extending recessII 4 formed in its peripheral surface and which, when in the positionshown in Fig. 4, affords communication between the ports I04 and I 05through the bore IOI of the valve chest I02 and provides for the exhaustof motive fluid from the end of the cylinder 53 intermediate the pistonhead 55 and cylinder v3.5

head 5I.

The velocity of the exhausting fluid is reduced by the circuitous paththe fluid is required to follow in passing around the bafiles I09 andthe pressure of the exhausting fluid is reduced by reason of its passinginto the large cavity of E the bracket IIO which functions as anexpansion chamber for the exhaust fluid coming from the cylinder 53.

Live motive fluid is conducted to the valve chest I02 of the motor bymeans of a fluid pipe" H5 connecting the valve chest with any suitablesource of fluid supply. In the present instance, the device is arrangedto be actuated by compressed air, although obviously steam or othergaseous fluid under pressure may be employed.

The feed pipe I I5 is connected to a port I I6 in the valve chamber I02which in turn communicates with the bore IOI of said valve chest. The

valve I00 is provided with a longitudinally ex- 5 passage II8communicates with the recess Ill 60 while the opposite end of thepassage H8 is arranged in longitudinal alignment with the longitudinalrecess H4 in said valve, whereby movement of the valve I00 axially tothe right as viewed in Fig. 4 will efiect an interruption of the com- 5munication between the ports I04 and I05, through the recess H4 in thevalve I00, and which will form communication between the transversepassage II8 of the valve I00 and the port I04 of the valve chest I02,permitting motive fluid to flow from the pipe II5 through the port IIS,recess II'I, passage II8, port I04, and passage l06 to the fluid space56 in the cylinder 53, which will move the piston. 54 in a direction toeffect expansion of the stocking form until the movement of the valveI00 first cuts off the flow of motive fluid from the pipe I I5 and,reestablishes communication between the ports I04 and I05 through therecess H4 in the valve I00, whereupon reaction of thespring 60 moves thepiston 54 in the opposite direction and exhausts the spent fluid fromthe cylinder 53 in the manner above noted.

Reciprocation of the valve I00 is provided for in the following manner:The valve I00 is pro Vided with a valve stem I which passes out of thevalve chest I02 through a suitable stuffing box H9. The stem I20 isconnected at its outer end, at I2I, to an adjustable link I22, said linkbeing connected at its opposite end, at I23, to a lever I24. The leverI24 is secured to a shaft I25. The shaft I25 is rotatably mounted inbearings I26, I23 which are secured to the under side of a worktable I21as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Secured to the shaft I25 is a pair ofdepending arms I28, I28. Carried by the lower ends of the arms I28 is afoot treadle I29.

The shaft I25 is at all times urged to turn in a direction to move thevalve I00 to the position shown in Fig. 4, wherein exhaust of the motivefluid fromthe motor 53 is effected, by a spring I30, see Figs. 2 and 17.The spring I30 encircles the shaft I25 and has one of its ends securedto one of the shaft bearings I 26. The opposite end of the spring I30 isanchored in acollar I 3| which is adjustably secured to the shaft I25 bymeans of a set screw I32.

The link I22 comprises a pairof end pieces I33 and I34 which are axiallythreadedto receive right hand and left hand threads respectively whichare formed on the opposite ends of an adjusting bolt I35, which formsthe intermediate member of the link. The adjusting bolt I35 is providedwith a centrally located hexagonal or other fiat side enlargement I 36by which rotation of the adjusting screw I35 is effected. Lock nuts I31,I31 threaded onto the opposite ends of the adjusting bolt I35 andarranged to be jammed down tightly against the ends of the members I33and. I34 lock the whole of the link together asa single unit.

The end member I34 is bored inwardly from one end as indicated at I38and slotted or otherwise apertured as indicated at I39, in Fig. 16, toreceive a ball I40 which constitutes the pivot I23 between the one endof the link I22 and the arm I24, said ball being retained in the boreI38 by a plug I4I which in turn is secured in the link member I34 by apin. I42. The ball I40 is formed on one end of a bolt I43, beyond thehead I44 thereof. The shank I45 of said bolt passes through a slot I 46formed in the lever I24, said bolt being secured in its adjustedposition within said slot by means of a clamp nut I41 threaded on to theshank I45 of the bolt and between which and the head I44 the leverI24 isclamped.

The form-head supporting bracket H0 is secured to the under side of thework table I21 and is provided with a step I50 in which the screenedfluid exhaust port III is formed. As shown in Fig. 3, the step I 50 issubstantially parallel to and spaced from the under side of the tableI21 and provides an air space I5I between the under side ofthe table andthe upper side of the screen H2, whereby exhaust fluid passing outthrough the screenedopening I II impinges uponthe under sideof the tableI21 and is dissipated in all directions, thus preventing the formationof air currents which normally would effect displacement of stockings orother work piled on the work table I21.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, by which Iobtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various wayswithout departing from the invention herein disclosed and hereinafterclaimed.

I claim:

1. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an elongatedexpansible hosiery form carried by said head and having rotativemovement about its longitudinal axis relative to said head, means forexpanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocableelement extend:- ing longitudinally of said form and into said head, acylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connectedto said element for moving said element in one direction to expand saidform, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction tocontract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to andfrom said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of saidform, a pair of co-operating stops within said head and carried by saidhead and said element respectively for limiting the form expandingmovement of said element, means for varying the relation between saidstops to regulate the extent of expanding movement of said element, andmeans operative between positions in one of which said rotative movementcauses said regulating means to vary said relation between said stops,and in another of which said rotative movement is inefiective to causesaid regulating means to vary said relation between said stops. I

2. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an elongatedexpansible hosiery form carried by said head and having rotativemovement about its longitudinal axis relative to said head, means forexpanding and contracting said form including an axially reciprocableelement extending longitudinally of. said form and into said head, acylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connectedto said element for moving said element in one direction to expand saidform, a spring for moving said element in the opposite direction tocontract said form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to andfrom said end of said cylinder for controlling the operation of saidform, a stop adjustably mounted on said element, a fixed stop in saidhead for cooperation with said adjustable stop to govern the extent ofform expanding movement of each element, and means operative betweenpositions in one of which said rotative movement actuates saidadjustable stop, and in another of which said rotative movement isineifective to actuate said adjustable stop.

3. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an expansible hosieryform carried by said head, means for expanding and contracting said formincluding an axially reciprocable element extending longitudinally ofsaid form and into said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operablein said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said elementin one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said elementin the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling theflow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder forcontrolling the operation of said form, a sleeve threaded onto saidelement, a stop carried by said sleeve, and a cooperating stop on theinside of said head to govern the extent of form expanding movement ofsaid element.

4. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, an expansible hosieryform carried by said head, means for expanding and contracting said formincluding an axially reciprocable element extending longitudinally ofsaid form and into said head, a cylinder in said head, a piston operablein said cylinder and connected to said element for moving said elementin one direction to expand said form, a spring for moving said elementin the opposite direction to contract said form, a valve controlling theflow of motive fluid to and from said end of said cylinder forcontrolling the operation of said form, a sleeve threaded onto saidelement, a stop carried by said sleeve, a cooperating stop on the insideof said head to govern the extent of form expanding movement of saidelement, a key locking said sleeve against rotation on and relative tosaid element, and means extending externally of the head for releasingsaid key. 5. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a head, anexpansible hosiery form carried by said head, means for expanding andcontracting said form including an axially reciprocable elementextending longitudinally of said form and into said head,. a cylinder insaid head, a piston operable in said cylinder and connected to saidelement for moving said element in one direction to expand said form, aspring for moving said element in the opposite direction to contractsaid form, a valve controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from saidend of said cylinder for controlling the operation of said form, asleeve threaded onto said element, a stop carried by said sleeve, acooperating stop on the inside of said head to govern the extent of formexpanding movement of said element, a key locking said sleeve againstrotation on and relative to said element, and a spring retracted plungerextending externally of the head for releasing said key and for lockingsaid sleeve against rotation in said head to provide for relativerotation between said element and said sleeve.

6. A hosiery inspecting device comprising a work table, a bracketsecured to the underside of said table, a head secured to said bracket,a laterally expansible elongated stocking form carried by said head andhaving rotative movement about its longitudinal axis relative to saidhead, a cylinder in said head, a piston operable in said cylinder forexpanding said form, variable means for regulating the extent of formexpanding movement of said piston, means operative between positions inone of which said rotative movement causes said regulating means to varythe extent of said form expanding movement of said piston and in anotherof which said rotative movement is ineffective to cause said regulatingmeans to vary the extent of said form expanding movement of said piston,a pair of plates respectively closing the opposite ends of said head, astud carried by one of said closure plates for rotatably supporting saidform, a spring acting between said stud carrying plate and one end ofsaid piston for contracting said form, a valve chest secured to saidhead, and a valve operable in said chest for controlling the flow ofmotive fluid to and from a. space between the opposite end of saidpiston and the second of said plates.

'7. A hosiery inspecting device comprising an expansible stocking formincluding a central foundation element, a plurality of segmental memberscollectively forming a stocking form around said foundation element, aheel member pivoted to said foundation element and arranged to swingradially outwardly therefrom between an adjacently disposed pair of saidsegmental members, a common actuator for all of said members, and meansfor effecting radial movements of one of said members of diiferentextents relative to the radial movements of another of said members inresponse to like movements of said common actuator.

8. A hosiery inspecting device comprising an expansible stocking formincluding a central foundation element, a plurality of segmental memberscollectively forming a stocking form around said foundation element, aheel member pivoted to said foundation element and arranged to swingradially outwardly therefrom between an adjacently disposed pair of saidsegmental members, an inclined cam surface on each of said members, acommon actuator for all of said members, means on said common actuatorengaging with said inclined cam surfaces respectively, and means forvarying the angle of the inclined cam surface of the heel memberrelative to the line of movement of the cam engaging means of the commonactuator for regulating the extent of radial movement of the heel'member for a given movement or" the common actuator.

9. A hosiery inspection device comprising an extensible hosiery form,means for expanding and contracting the form including an elementtherein reciprocable longitudinally thereof, a sleeve threadably mountedon the reciprocable element, a stop on the sleeve, a cooperating stop tolimit the form-expanding movement of the reciprocable element, and meansfor locking the sleeve against, and releasing it for, rotation relativeto the reciprocable element.

10. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, an extensible hosieryform supported by the head, means for expanding and contracting the formincluding an element therein reciprocable longitudinally thereof, asleeve threadably mounted on the reciprocable element, a stop on thesleeve, a cooperating stop to limit the formexpanding movement of thereciprocable element, and means including an operating member associatedwith the head for locking the sleeve against, and releasing it for,rotation relative to the reciprocable element.

11. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, an extensible hosieryform supported by, and having rotative movement relative to, the head,means for expanding and contracting the form including an elementmovably mounted in the form, a stop adjustably mounted on said element,a cooperating stop to limit the formexpanding movement of said element,and means operative between positions in one of which said rotativemovement causes adjusting movement of one stop relative to the other,and in another of which said rotative movement is ineifective to causeadjusting movement of one stop relative to the other.

12. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, an extensible hosieryform. supported by the head, means for expanding and contracting theform including an element movably mounted in the form, a stop adjustablymounted on said element, a cooperating stop to limit the form-expandingmovement of said element, and means including an operating memberassociated with the head providing for adjustment of the distancebetween said stops.

13. A hosiery inspection device comprising an expansible leg form, meansincluding an element longitudinally reciprocable in the form forexpanding and contracting the form radially, a heel expander pivotallymounted in the form including a movement determining member normallyfixed to the heel expander having a slot which in the contractedposition of the heel expander is diagonal to said longitudinallyreciprocable element, a pin on the latter element movable in said slotfor moving the heel expander about its pivot, and means for adjustingthe slotted member relative to the heel expander whereby the heelexpander may move through any one of a selection of angles in responseto a given stroke of the longitudinally movable element.

14. A hosiery inspection device comprising a stationary head, alongitudinally divided elongated stockin-g form supported at one end bysaid head and having rotative movement about its longitudinal axisrelative to said head, means for expanding said form including anelongated element extending longitudinally of the form between saidlongitudinal divisions for moving said divisions laterally relative toeach other, means supported by said head for actuating said elongatedelement, means operating between said elongated element and saidactuating means for regulating the extent of said expansion, and meansoperative between positions in one of which said rotative movementcauses said regulating means to vary the extent of said expansion, andin another of which said rotative movement is inefiective to cause saidregulating means to vary the extent of said expansion.

15. A hosiery inspection device comprising a head, a hosiery formsupported by the head in movable relation thereto and including membersmovable relative to each other for expanding and contracting the form,said movement of the form relative to the head being utilizable as ahosiery inspection movement, relatively adjustable elements mounted insaid head for efiecting adjustment of the expanding and contractingmovements ofsaidmembers,means whereby said movement of the form relativeto the head may also be efiected to adjust said elements of the headrelative to each other to effect adjustment of the expanding andcontracting movements of said members, means for locking said elementsof the head relative to each other whereby said movement of the formrelative to the head is the said inspecting movement of an article ofhosiery on the form, and means including an element for operating saidlocking means to release said elements from each other whereby saidmovement of the form relative to the head efiects said adjustment.

MAX POESCHMANN.

